How to Avoid Pornography

Make the Decision to StopRemove All Adult Material From Your ComputerReevaluate the Time You Spend on the ComputerGet a HobbyLet Your Computer Help You

The Internet is a big and wonderful place. Yet it holds many temptations for many people. Online pornography, for example, can become a time-consuming addiction for a lot of people. If it's becoming a problem for you, here are some tips to help you break the habit.

Method 1 of 5: Make the Decision to Stop

1. 
   1
   Think carefully about why you want to avoid online pornography. What's important to you? Are you wasting too much time perusing adult sites? Are you concerned about how your behavior is affecting your family? Are you losing sleep? Are you becoming antisocial? Do you feel guilty because of religious reasons? Having a strong reason for avoiding pornography is a great motivator. If possible, make a list of reasons why you want to avoid porn, with the strongest reasons at the top. Review the list every morning and every night. (If you're worried about keeping this list on your computer, you can easily keep it locked up in a password-protected file.)
2. 
   2
   Make a promise to yourself that you will try not to watch pornography. Making a promise will help set boundaries. If you need help, you can talk about it with a friend or a family member.
3. 
   3
   Do your best to keep your promise. Habits are hard to break. If you feel like you're slipping, think about the benefits your abstinence has brought you.
4. 
   4
   Look at yourself in the mirror. When you have tempting thoughts, look into the mirror and tell yourself that you are better than that.

Method 2 of 5: Remove All Adult Material From Your Computer

1. 1
   Get rid of everything on your computer that is even remotely related to pornography. Do not keep anything at all. If you have bookmarks to porn sites, delete them. Empty your cache and delete your history. If you are a member of a porn site, resign your membership. It goes without saying that you should stop renting pornographic videos or DVDs. And don't forget to disable your webcam if you use it for libidinous pursuits.

Method 3 of 5: Reevaluate the Time You Spend on the Computer

1. 
   1
   Don't spend lonely nights surfing the Internet. Try to go to bed at the same time as the rest of the family, or earlier.
2. 
   2
   Try not to be alone in a room with the computer. Plan how much time you will use the Internet, and for what purpose. Follow your own guidelines. And remember, having broadband access doesn't force you to use the Internet all day long.
3. 
   3
   Before turning on your computer, make a list (on paper) of all the things you want to accomplish. Methodically work your way through the list and turn off the computer when you're done. Afterward, get away from computer and make plans to do something else.

Method 4 of 5: Get a Hobby

1. 
   1
   Instead of spending so much time alone on the computer, develop an interest in something else. Develop a hobby, join the gym, spend time with your family, do some volunteer work. There are a million ways to spend your free time.
2. 
   
   2
   Try to meditate for a few minutes during the day. This will help you focus on your goals.
3. 
   3
   Think positive. By constantly telling yourself not to look at pornography it can keep the idea in your head. Instead of focusing on what not to do, focus on productive, enjoyable things you can do instead, even if it's as simple as something like a crossword puzzle.

Method 5 of 5: Let Your Computer Help You

1. 1
   Install software to filter pornographic web content (see external links below). It will help to protect you from stumbling into pornography by accident. That's important. If you are tech-savvy you can edit your hosts file to block your common haunts.
2. 2
   Keep your internet history - do not delete it. Remove all "scrubbing" software and other ways you used to conceal your online behavior. Where the history was a liability before, it is now a powerful weapon against temptation. Knowing the history is there is a great motivator not to visit inappropriate websites. Show your spouse or partner your now-clean history as a reward and a way to regain trust.